Blue Mountains Journal

On a very warm day lunch was delicious, relaxing under the shade of a tree and looking out at this serene rural setting. That's it for this series.  I'll have to go somewhere interesting on the weekend.

On Australia Day we had lunch at the Ambermere Rose Inn in Hartley Vale.  Over the next week I am going to post photos of this delightful spot without commentary.  I simply want to record some of its visual delights. The inn was built between 1830 and 1845 byJoseph Collitts originally as a home, and later operated as an Inn. It was a Cobb and Co staging inn until 1873 when railway travel took over.  It has had various uses since that time and now operates as a restaurant..

I'm ending this series with two more interesting relics from the past. After 40 yesrs when the MacCrae sisters died the house passed on fully furnished to the Paap family who lived here 25 years.  When they too aged the house was sold and the contents auctioned off.  One of the neighbours down the road bought two paintings and years later, knowing our interest in the history of the home, sold them back to us.   We had them cleaned and reframed in the style of the originals and they now hang on either side of the fireplace.  The artist is a MacCrae.  

In the 1920a the MacCrae's moved in and members of that family lived here for 40 years.  Miss Marie MacCrae owned the home but her parents, invalid brother and two unmarried sisters lived here too.  An old lady from the town told me the three Miss MacCrae's wore long dark skirts, white blouses with cameo brooches at the neck and had a driver who took them out in their car once a week.  I wonder if either these people were from that family.

By now the first world war is in swing but this card is sent in 1916 from Toowoomba in Queensland, not the war front. And as this is Valentines day I should mention that none of the cards were love letters, just ordinary homely goings on.

By now De Little, Lawson's first doctor has moved int, The Christmas card is for Miss M Little and Master J H Little.   Perhaps they were following Captain Scott's expedition to the Antarctic.

A note from Ceylon. I am not very good at reading this old writing.  Is says something like "With kindest  regards form Sy ???.  Many thanks for Lawson present. Will"

In 1902 they write to Mrs Langley.  Dear Mrs Langley, just a line to let you know I have not forgotten you. I have not been well.  I would enjoy my trip very much if my health was better. I was even worse Autralia when I was with you. Love to Miss Chrystal and Miss ???. How is my cousin ???.  Glasgow Aug 29 and going to ??? next week.

I am running a short series on the postcards that over the years postcards slipped behind the fireplace surround in the front parlour which we now use as a library.  This is the oldest one, dated 28 December 1897 and addressed to Miss Chrystal, Burnbrae, Lawson. The message which is only half there says something about a basket of figs; something for the boys; find your empty .. back by Mary on Wednesday .. she passes through, all ... hope you are the same.

I end this series with Langley the lovely home of our next door neighbours.  Some of those early postcards that I mentioned in my first post were addressed to Miss Chrystal and Mrs Langley so that is probably the association with this name. Some readers have asked to see the postcards so I do a short series on them next.

These cottages seem to be harking back to places "back home" naming Scottish and English towns. Santa Cruz however comes from the original name of the estate from which all these housing blocks were subdivided back in the 1890s.

There is also an occasional old home built in sandstone.  I'm sure this would have a name but I could not find it.  They don't seem to like visitors, that is a high electric fence and the front gate is entangled by a thorny rose.

Today city daily photographers are posting on the theme of fountains. Fontaine is French for fountain so I am stretching to take in that theme at the same time as keeping with my current theme of house names.   Click here to view thumbnails for all participants This grand home with a spacious garden is more commonly referred to as Dr King's house.  Dr King was a well known local identity who did much to save the history and old homes of our town. You will notice this is a wealthier home built from brick.  Bullnose verandahs like here are common on older houses.  By the way, have you noticed that most of the places I have been showing have verandahs, they are also a common element in older dwellings.